A BRIERLEY Hill schoolboy has been left heartbroken after his beloved foal was stolen.

Mark Hayward, aged 14, from Fens Crescent, could not believe it when he discovered seven-month foal Sparky had been snatched.

The Thorns Community College student kept the horse in a field in Monument Lane, Lickey, near Bromsgrove.

It is thought the animal was stolen between Wednesday October 1 and Sunday October 5, after thieves cut down the fence.

The devoted animal lover became interested in horses due to a friend and would go with his friend to care and look after Sparky.

Mark’s mother Donna Thompson said: “Mark is mad on horses, he had only had Sparky for a couple of months and worked the whole of his six-week summer holiday mucking out to earn money to buy him.

“He was going to ride him when he was old enough and he is absolutely devastated.

“When he discovered he had gone, he was heartbroken and was checking all the surrounding fields.”

Sparky is a seven-month old black and white male and stands at 12.2 hands high and was worth £600.

Police are currently appealing for information about the theft.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Kidderminster Police Station on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.